About Us
We are a not-for-profit community Nursery. Our purpose is to protect and restore the ecological values of south-east Queensland habitats by returning locally indigenous plants to the landscape.
We aim to achieve this through:
- Growing, selling and promoting the use of indigenous plant species for every situation, from large-scale revegetation projects to home gardens
- Encouraging community awareness and appreciation of the importance of native plants in the environment
- Promoting the use of locally native plants in place of exotic species
- Providing volunteering and educational opportunities for individuals to develop skills in identifying, selecting and growing native plants
We believe that habitat restoration is possible and necessary at all levels. From rural to residential, the change and difference can be made literally in our own back yards.
Paten Park Native Nursery
Paten Park Native Nursery is a not-for-profit community driven native plants nursery in The Gap, Brisbane. Driven by the love of native plants, we've been helping both local individuals and groups to give some love to our often neglected native species.
PERFECT FIT 🦋🦇🌿
Unlike European honeybees and other exotic insects, Australia’s native pollinators are uniquely adapted to fertilise and promote the survival of native plants.
💦While some plants require only wind or water for pollination, most need wildlife such as flying foxes, pygmy possums, birds, butterflies, hoverflies, moths or other insects to transfer pollen.
Australia’s 1,700+ native bee species are highly efficient pollinators of eucalypts, tea trees, bottle brushes and other plants in the family Myrtaceae.
🐦Birds such as honeyeaters, lorikeets and friarbirds are major pollinators of banksias and grevilleas, with nectar-rich, brightly coloured, tubular flowers.
🦇Nocturnal pollinators such as flying foxes and pygmy possums are crucial for spreading pollen and maintaining genetic diversity of eucalypts and other large-flowering plants in the families Myrtaceae and Proteaceae.
Sometimes the requirements are so specific that just one species of pollinator is the perfect fit to fertilise a single species of native plant.
The Bolwarra (Eupomatia laurina), a rainforest plant of ancient lineage, generally flowers for only one day and relies on weevils in the genus Elleschodes to pollinate its flowers.
Native figs rely on fig wasps for pollination, and each species of fig generally needs a particular species of fig wasp to pollinate the flowers which line the fig’s hollow syconium (fruiting body).
The Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) and the Fig Wasp (Pleistodontes froggatti) rely on each other to reproduce.
The Fig wasp forces its way into the synconium to lay its eggs and transfers pollen to the flowers.
When the larvae hatch and grow they eventually fly away to transfer pollen into other synconia.
Recent research has identified tiny Heliozelidae moths, smaller than a grain of rice, as specific pollinators of boronias in SW Western Australia. (https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2025/june/a-weird-group-of-boronias-puzzled-botanists-for-decades)
Each of a group of 15 moth species was found to pollinate just one species of boronia, collecting pollen with an intricate structure on the tip of their abdomens.
The research found that Australia is a hotspot for Heliozelidae, with hundreds of species new to science and yet to be classified.
Wildflower restoration sites, even roadside or in orchards, also attract beneficial insects which in turn benefit agricultural crops. (See https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/protecting-winged-pollinators/)
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc.
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@Brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
The Western Echo
Brisbane Edible Gardening
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
QUT Landscape Architecture Society
@qut.las
🦇🌿
Unlike European honeybees and other exotic insects, Australia’s native pollinators are uniquely adapted to fertilise and promote the survival of native plants.
💦While some plants require only wind or water for pollination, most need wildlife such as flying foxes, pygmy possums, birds, butterflies, hoverflies, moths or other insects to transfer pollen.
Australia’s 1,700+ native bee species are highly efficient pollinators of eucalypts, tea trees, bottle brushes and other plants in the family Myrtaceae.
🐦Birds such as honeyeaters, lorikeets and friarbirds are major pollinators of banksias and grevilleas, with nectar-rich, brightly coloured, tubular flowers.
🦇Nocturnal pollinators such as flying foxes and pygmy possums are crucial for spreading pollen and maintaining genetic diversity of eucalypts and other large-flowering plants in the families Myrtaceae and Proteaceae.
Sometimes the requirements are so specific that just one species of pollinator is the perfect fit to fertilise a single species of native plant.
The Bolwarra (Eupomatia laurina), a rainforest plant of ancient lineage, generally flowers for only one day and relies on weevils in the genus Elleschodes to pollinate its flowers.
Native figs rely on fig wasps for pollination, and each species of fig generally needs a particular species of fig wasp to pollinate the flowers which line the fig’s hollow syconium (fruiting body).
The Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla) and the Fig Wasp (Pleistodontes froggatti) rely on each other to reproduce.
The Fig wasp forces its way into the synconium to lay its eggs and transfers pollen to the flowers.
When the larvae hatch and grow they eventually fly away to transfer pollen into other synconia.
Recent research has identified tiny Heliozelidae moths, smaller than a grain of rice, as specific pollinators of boronias in SW Western Australia. (https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2025/june/a-weird-group-of-boronias-puzzled-botanists-for-decades)
Each of a group of 15 moth species was found to pollinate just one species of boronia, collecting pollen with an intricate structure on the tip of their abdomens.
The research found that Australia is a hotspot for Heliozelidae, with hundreds of species new to science and yet to be classified.
Wildflower restoration sites, even roadside or in orchards, also attract beneficial insects which in turn benefit agricultural crops. (See https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/protecting-winged-pollinators/)
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc.
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@Brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
The Western Echo
Brisbane Edible Gardening
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
QUT Landscape Architecture Society
@qut.las
🦇🌿
INTO RED
Want to liven up your garden with vibrant colour and attract birds or other wildlife?
Grow a few of these SE Qld native plants with red flowers or fruit.
Birds are particularly attracted to the colour red.
They’re also important pollinators of plants with nectar-rich red flowers such as Melaleucas, Grevilleas, Tree Waratahs (Alloxylon spp.) and Flame Trees (Brachychiton acerifolius).
Plants with tubular or brush-like flowers are designed for pollination by birds including honeyeaters and lorikeets.
Red fruit and berries attract fruit-eating birds (frugivores) as well as flying foxes and other mammals.
These frugivores aid bush regeneration and genetic diversity by eating the fruit and dispersing seed far and wide.
Many nectar-rich red flowers are not strongly scented but for birds they stand out against green foliage and provide nectar and pollen.
They also attract insects which are eaten by birds.
Understorey plants including palms, cordylines, groundcovers and vines such as Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) provide food and habitat for frogs, lizards and other wildlife.
Plants producing vibrant red or pink new growth such as Midyim (Austromyrtus dulcis) and Lilly Pillies including the Powder Puff Lilly Pilly (Syzygium wilsonii) and Riberry (S. luehmannii) also add colour.
Support local ecosystems and enliven your garden by growing a variety of species that produce red flowers or fruit at different times throughout the year.
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc. @thegapsustainability
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
@thewesternecho
@ediblegardensbrisbane
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
@qut.las
Want to liven up your garden with vibrant colour and attract birds or other wildlife?
Grow a few of these SE Qld native plants with red flowers or fruit.
Birds are particularly attracted to the colour red.
They’re also important pollinators of plants with nectar-rich red flowers such as Melaleucas, Grevilleas, Tree Waratahs (Alloxylon spp.) and Flame Trees (Brachychiton acerifolius).
Plants with tubular or brush-like flowers are designed for pollination by birds including honeyeaters and lorikeets.
Red fruit and berries attract fruit-eating birds (frugivores) as well as flying foxes and other mammals.
These frugivores aid bush regeneration and genetic diversity by eating the fruit and dispersing seed far and wide.
Many nectar-rich red flowers are not strongly scented but for birds they stand out against green foliage and provide nectar and pollen.
They also attract insects which are eaten by birds.
Understorey plants including palms, cordylines, groundcovers and vines such as Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda) provide food and habitat for frogs, lizards and other wildlife.
Plants producing vibrant red or pink new growth such as Midyim (Austromyrtus dulcis) and Lilly Pillies including the Powder Puff Lilly Pilly (Syzygium wilsonii) and Riberry (S. luehmannii) also add colour.
Support local ecosystems and enliven your garden by growing a variety of species that produce red flowers or fruit at different times throughout the year.
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc. @thegapsustainability
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
@thewesternecho
@ediblegardensbrisbane
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
@qut.las
CREATE A POLLINATOR GARDEN 🦋🐝
🌿Do your bit for the environment and liven up your garden or outdoor living area by growing native plants to attract pollinators such as birds and butterflies.
It only takes a few key local plants to help provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies, native bees and other essential pollinators that are vital for the survival of Australian plants.
Native plants grown in gardens or as street trees help link areas of natural bushland and provide wildlife corridors for birds, flying foxes, other native mammals and insects that spread pollen so that native plants produce seed and fruit and maintain genetic diversity.
🦋To attract pollinators to your garden,
Plant native plants endemic to your local area (eg. SE Qld plants)
🐝Leave undisturbed areas so insects such as solitary native bees can forage or nest in the ground, amongst leaf litter, plant stems or trees.
🎋If you like to grow your own vegetables, add wildflowers and native edibles as companion plants in your veggie patch.
Avoid pesticides.
💦Provide a birdbath or bowl of water with a rock for butterflies to rest on and drink.
Create a bee hotel or
Install a bee hive (PPNN has purpose-built, specially insulated beehives for native bees that live in colonies).
🦋Attract more butterflies by growing host plants such as
Lomandras,
Sennas,
Fan Flowers (Scaevola spp.),
Love Flowers (Pseuderanthemum variabile),
Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia),
Arrowhead Violet (Viola betonicifolia),
Native Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus),
Lime Berry (Micromelum minutum),
Finger Lime (Citrus australasica),
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra),
Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa),
Creek Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata),
Sandfly Bush (Zieria smithii),
Zig Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii).
For more, see Create More Butterflies and Inviting Nature to Dinner by Frank Jordan & Helen Schwencke (available at PPNN).
🐝Native bees are attracted to blue, purple, yellow and white flowers, so grow plants such as Flax Lilies (Dianella spp.), Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Wattles (Acacia spp.), Guinea Flowers (eg. Hibbertia scandens), Goodenia spp., and Native Rosemary (Westringia spp.).
🐦⬛Birds are attracted to red, orange, pink or yellow flowers and brightly coloured fruit but generally cannot smell.
🦇Fruit bats are colour blind but like soft, smelly fruit such as figs, Lilly Pillies and the Ooray (Davidsonia pruriens and other spp.).
Some pollinators such as Blue-banded Bees feed on the nectar of a variety of species but also buzz pollinate flowers that provide only pollen.
Butterflies may flit from flower to flower but will only lay their eggs on specific host species for their caterpillars to feed on once the eggs hatch.
For example, the vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly relies on the Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) as the only host plant for its caterpillars.
A hazard is the toxic introduced Dutchman’s Pipe Vine (Aristolochia elegans) on which the butterfly will lay its eggs but this plant kills the caterpillars when they eat it.
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc.
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@Brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
The Western Echo
Brisbane Edible Gardening
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
@QUT Landscape Architecture Society (QUT Landscape Architecture Society )
@qut.las
🌿Do your bit for the environment and liven up your garden or outdoor living area by growing native plants to attract pollinators such as birds and butterflies.
It only takes a few key local plants to help provide food and habitat for birds, butterflies, native bees and other essential pollinators that are vital for the survival of Australian plants.
Native plants grown in gardens or as street trees help link areas of natural bushland and provide wildlife corridors for birds, flying foxes, other native mammals and insects that spread pollen so that native plants produce seed and fruit and maintain genetic diversity.
🦋To attract pollinators to your garden,
Plant native plants endemic to your local area (eg. SE Qld plants)
🐝Leave undisturbed areas so insects such as solitary native bees can forage or nest in the ground, amongst leaf litter, plant stems or trees.
🎋If you like to grow your own vegetables, add wildflowers and native edibles as companion plants in your veggie patch.
Avoid pesticides.
💦Provide a birdbath or bowl of water with a rock for butterflies to rest on and drink.
Create a bee hotel or
Install a bee hive (PPNN has purpose-built, specially insulated beehives for native bees that live in colonies).
🦋Attract more butterflies by growing host plants such as
Lomandras,
Sennas,
Fan Flowers (Scaevola spp.),
Love Flowers (Pseuderanthemum variabile),
Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia),
Arrowhead Violet (Viola betonicifolia),
Native Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus),
Lime Berry (Micromelum minutum),
Finger Lime (Citrus australasica),
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra),
Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa),
Creek Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata),
Sandfly Bush (Zieria smithii),
Zig Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii).
For more, see Create More Butterflies and Inviting Nature to Dinner by Frank Jordan & Helen Schwencke (available at PPNN).
🐝Native bees are attracted to blue, purple, yellow and white flowers, so grow plants such as Flax Lilies (Dianella spp.), Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Wattles (Acacia spp.), Guinea Flowers (eg. Hibbertia scandens), Goodenia spp., and Native Rosemary (Westringia spp.).
🐦⬛Birds are attracted to red, orange, pink or yellow flowers and brightly coloured fruit but generally cannot smell.
🦇Fruit bats are colour blind but like soft, smelly fruit such as figs, Lilly Pillies and the Ooray (Davidsonia pruriens and other spp.).
Some pollinators such as Blue-banded Bees feed on the nectar of a variety of species but also buzz pollinate flowers that provide only pollen.
Butterflies may flit from flower to flower but will only lay their eggs on specific host species for their caterpillars to feed on once the eggs hatch.
For example, the vulnerable Richmond Birdwing Butterfly relies on the Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) as the only host plant for its caterpillars.
A hazard is the toxic introduced Dutchman’s Pipe Vine (Aristolochia elegans) on which the butterfly will lay its eggs but this plant kills the caterpillars when they eat it.
Follow PPNN on Instagram
@paten_park_native_nursery
Save Our Waterways Now
@saveourwaterwaysnow
Balaangala Community Group
The Gap 4061
The Gap Sustainability Initiative Inc.
Wild in The Gap
Brisbane City Life
Brisbane Kids
Brisbane Catchments Network
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
Native Plants Queensland
@Brisbanebotanicgardensfriends
The Western Echo
Brisbane Edible Gardening
Queensland Environment
The Queensland Naturalists' Club Inc
National Parks Association of Queensland
@naturepositiveliving
@QUT Landscape Architecture Society (QUT Landscape Architecture Society )
@qut.las
We Do eGift Cards
Available now, Paten Park Native Nursery egift Card are the ideal gift for anyone with a green thumb. There is no expiry date and it can be used over multiple visits.
Click here to buy your eGift Card.
BCC Free Native Plant Program
Brisbane City Council’s Free Native Plants Program offers a range of plants to assist the community to plant and green their properties. The native species provided through the program will help grow our city’s urban forest and support local wildlife.
We are only able to accept approved stamped Free Native Plants vouchers.
Find out how to claim your FREE BCC native plant vouchers here!
Nespresso Capsule Recycling Program
Drop off your used Nespresso pods for recycling next time you stop by!
